Tang San: I Don't Want to Die

Douluo World.

Lu Chen sipped tea and read a book, leisurely enjoying his comfortable life. After so much time had passed, Little Xuexue should have adapted to life in the Dragon Realm by now, right? He hoped she was having fun.

Once she returned after completing her mission, he would definitely give her a huge reward.

He turned to the final page of the book in his hand. After gently closing it, three large words stood out on the cover.

Mysterious Heaven Technique

Holy Spirit Village.

Taking advantage of Tang Hao being asleep, one-year-old Tang San circulated the Mysterious Heaven Technique within his body again and again. Only when he reached his limit did he stop.

"Huff!"

Tang San exhaled a breath of foul air. His little eyes were filled with exhaustion. "Cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique with a one-year-old body is still too strenuous."

He had not wanted to start cultivating so early. According to his original plan, he would begin cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique at age three and rely on his proficiency from his previous life to bring the first layer to completion within two years.

But plans could not keep up with changes.

His father in this life was simply too... too dispirited.

Every day, he could not even drink his fill of porridge. That would have been one thing, but his father often got drunk and forgot to feed him, leaving him hungry for half a day or even an entire day.

At one year old, he was at an age when he could easily die. He truly could not endure this irregular starvation and fullness any longer. He had to become self-sufficient as soon as possible.

At the very least, he needed to be able to drink three meals—no! Two meals of plain porridge a day on his own!

Only then would he have a chance of barely surviving.

But there was no way a child of one or two could cook porridge or make food through his own abilities. His height and strength alone made it impossible.

With no other choice, he could only begin cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique ahead of time.

He had finally been given another life, a father, and a home. He did not want to be killed by his dear father.

And from the moment he began cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Technique, the technique he cultivated naturally became imprinted upon this world...

Winter passed and spring arrived. Another year went by.

Qian Daoliu stood outside the Worship Hall, gazing at the tender new buds on the branches. There was no joy for new life on his aged face, only a desolate melancholy.

Little Xue had been gone for over a year. Where exactly had she gone? Had a god taken a liking to her, or...

Just as Qian Daoliu was overcome with sorrow, a figure quietly entered. "Grand Worshipper, Yue Guan has completely sided with Bibi Dong. This is the Velvet Sky-reaching Chrysanthemum he sent back."

"Hmm?"

The sorrowful atmosphere was broken, and Qian Daoliu came back to himself. He turned around and stared strangely at the Velvet Sky-reaching Chrysanthemum in Qianjun's hand.

To pave the way for his granddaughter, Qian Daoliu had personally delivered this immortal herb to Chrysanthemum Pass after he came out of seclusion. Yet he had never expected that the immortal herb he personally gave away would be returned.

"Yue Guan." Qian Daoliu's expression remained calm as he asked evenly, "He searched his entire life for this immortal herb. I never expected him to return it after I delivered it to him."

Qian Daoliu raised a hand and retrieved the immortal herb from Qianjun. "Tell me. What did Bibi Dong give him that made him abandon something he had sought all his life?"

"Yue Guan did not say, and there has been no news from the Papal Hall either." A trace of sentiment flashed through Qianjun's eyes. "But based on my speculation, even if Bibi Dong gave Yue Guan an enormous benefit, it would still be far inferior to the immortal herb in your hands, Grand Worshipper."

"He most likely chose Bibi Dong because of Gui Mei."

"Gui Mei?" Qian Daoliu frowned.

"Yes. With Yue Guan's talent, becoming a Rank 95 Title Douluo would not be difficult. But Gui Mei's talent is not enough."

"His innate talent was already lacking, and when he was severely injured and nearly died last year, he suffered unimaginable mental trauma and lingering aftereffects. They caused serious problems with both his body and martial soul. It is almost hopeless for him to advance any further in the future."

"And Bibi Dong likely saw this weakness of Yue Guan and Gui Mei's, found a way to heal Gui Mei, and that was why Yue Guan rejected the Grand Worshipper."

"Grand Worshipper, you also know how domineering a martial soul fusion skill can be. A single fusion forms an inseparable bond between two people."

"For people like Yue Guan and Gui Mei, who have spent decades together day after day, there has long been something between them..."

Qianjun paused, then continued, "In Yue Guan's heart, the Velvet Sky-reaching Chrysanthemum may be very important, but compared to Gui Mei, it still falls short."

"Is that so?"

After hearing Qianjun's explanation, Qian Daoliu nodded. "I understand. From now on, do not concern yourself with Yue Guan and Gui Mei's affairs."

"Yes."

"How is Yanyan doing?"

"You mean Dugu Yan?"

"Yes. Before Little Xue left, didn't she entrust her to you?"

At the mention of Dugu Yan, a trace of helplessness appeared on Qianjun's face. "She is doing well. This past year, she has made up for some basic knowledge."

After taking Dugu Yan from Qian Renxue, he had never expected that, as the granddaughter of a Title Douluo, she would know next to nothing about soul masters.

It had forced him, a dignified Title Douluo, to teach a little girl basic knowledge.

What a waste of talent.

"However, Yanyan has been asking where the Young Mistress went lately. After all, when she was brought here, she was told she would cultivate at the Young Mistress's side. Grand Worshipper, what do you think..."

"..." Qian Daoliu fell silent for a moment before saying, "Tell her that Little Xue has gone somewhere to cultivate in seclusion. She will not return for three to five years."

"Understood."

After Qianjun left, Qian Daoliu sighed.

Yue Guan and Gui Mei had been in seclusion healing their injuries ever since they returned. They had not dared to see him even once. Were they afraid of him?

Of the five Title Douluo who had surrounded and killed Tang Hao back then, they were the only two survivors.

Were they afraid that he, the Grand Worshipper, harbored resentment?

Gui Mei's injuries were certainly severe, but they had not reached the point where only Bibi Dong could treat them.

What a pity. Two Title Douluo with a martial soul fusion skill.

"How long has it been..." A weary voice rang out within this desolate Dragon Valley.

In this world containing only white bones and dragon souls, Qian Renxue had lost track of time. She had forgotten how long she had searched within Dragon Valley, how long she had walked.

All the emotions in her heart had slowly been worn away within this hopeless world.

Hatred! Anger! Resentment! Grief! They were all gone!

Only exhaustion and numbness remained in her eyes, while only one thought remained in her heart: find the core of the Dragon Realm.

"Is the core of the Dragon Realm really inside Dragon Valley?"

Whenever this question surfaced in her heart, she quickly suppressed it.

Was Lord Heavenly Dao mistaken?

Her inability to find the core was her own problem.

Until... another month passed.

Filled with doubt, Qian Renxue returned once more to the mountaintop where she had first arrived. Looking down upon Dragon Valley again, she saw the stark white bones strewn across the wilderness, and a thought rose in her heart.

"They... are so pitiful. They have been dead for so many years, yet they do not even have a true resting place."